THE news shared on Wednesday of the sad news of the passing of Hexham’s MP’s newborn twin boys was truly heartbreaking.

Guy Opperman and his wife Flora bravely shared the devastating news that their first children, twins Teddy and Rafe, had died in a touching statement released on Wednesday morning.

One can only imagine the emotional torture and sadness the couple have suffered during the past couple of weeks after the unimaginable to most happened.

The couple want to minimise the chances of it happening to other prospective parents and started a JustGiving page with the aim of raising £10,000 to fund research into Prelabour Rupture of Membranes in their sons’ memories.

Within hours, the page had surpassed the halfway mark to show the strength of support the couple have during this incredibly tricky time.

Whatever your political persuasion, I think all will agree that this is an absolutely devastating thing to happen to anybody and our thoughts go out to Guy and Flora at this time.

RIP Teddy and Rafe.

Peaceful protest

THIS week also brought us details of a planned anti-racism protest in Hexham, following on from worldwide Black Lives Matter campaigns.

The movement has been a divisive one throughout the globe, and has unfortunately brought with it some ugly scenes across the UK with fighting and landmarks being defaced.

One would like to think that the Tyne Valley would not face such scenes and the aim of the anti-racism group is to conduct a peaceful protest.

Should this be adhered to, the people of Tynedale showing their support for those that have faced racial prejudice can only be a good thing.